Hame tug



May-22,1923. 1,456,020

T. w. GRAHAM HAME TUG Filed Jan. 29. 1920 Patented May 22, l923i sra THOMAS W. GRAlEAlV-, GF BLUE ll'IOUNTN, MISSTSSIEPI.

rrnivin rue.

Application led January 29, 1920. Serial No. 354,952.

To @ZZ ,fw/0my may concern.'

Be it known that T, THOMAS W. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing` at Blue Mountaimin the county of Tippah and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful improvements in llame Tugs, of which the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to improvements in hame tugs and aims generally to improve the construction and overcome the various disadvantages presented by haine tugs now in use.

One of the great disadvantages attending the use of the ordinary hame tug is that no means is provided to prevent the trace connection or the trace itself coming incontact with and rubbing the body-side of the collar to which the hame is fitted. is a result after a comparatively short period of use the body-sides of a harness or plow collar which may be otherwise in perfect condition, are found to be cut or completely worn through at the points of location of the hame tues and in a great many instances the d'7 stitches are severed. When the traces are drawnY taut under working conditions the trace connections of the ordinary tugs are caused to swing inwardly andpress firmly against the body-sides of the harness collar because, as above stated, no means is provided forr limiting this movement Aand furthermore the connections are ordinarily of such a loose nature that they will rub back and forth across the body-sides of the collar, damaging the same in the manner pointed out above. .Therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a hame tug so constructed that the trace connection is limited in its movement toward the collar and will be prevented from coming into contact with the body-side or in any event from bearing so iirmly against or rubbing across the same as to in any way damage it.v Thus by the employment of my improved hame tug, the life of a harness or plow collar is greatly prolonged and the necessity of repairing the collar or even replacing the same as is now the case, is obviated insofar as concerns any likelihood of damaging of the collar by the presence of the hame tugs.

1Where chain traces are employed it has heretofore been customary to so construct the hame hooks that no matter in what manner the trace chains are connected therewith,

of the collar, under working conditions, thus soon cutting into the collar and damaging the same as before pointed out. Therefore, it is another important object of the invention to provide a haine tug having-a trace chain connection so constructed as to provide for the engagement of the chain link therewith in such a manner that the link will be held in substantially vertical posi# tion-and consequently will have one of its flat sides presented to the face of the collar and will at the same time be spaced from the collar so as to prevent the usual damage to the collar by the chain link. Incidentally the invention has as one of its objects to provide the trace chain connection of the tug with means for the connection of a link of" the trace chain thereto which means is so constructed as to securely hold the link stationary so that the same cannot have any appreciable play, thereby preventing any noticeable wear of the link. However, the

invention further contemplates that the trace chainl connection of thev tug shall be so constructed .as to in fact space this connected link from the collar and thus positively prevent the link coming in contact with the collar.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the means for connecting the trace chain with the hook ofthe connection that the chain may be readily applied and disconnected although when applied it is positively held against accidental disengagement fromth'e hook of the connection.

it'. further object of the invention is to provide a haine tug comprising an attaching member which` is secured to the haine,

anda trace connecting member which, to-v gether with the attaching member is so constructed that the connecting member may beat any time quickly disengaged from the attaching member and equally as readily applied thereto although under working conditions, accidental disengagement of the connecting member from the attaching memy vber is positively prevented.

ln connection with the last mentioned feature the invention has as a further object to provide means whereby the trace connecting member may be supportedv at various elevations upon 'the attaching member so that the line of draft or pull may be varied as desired. Y 7

`Another important object ot the invention is to so construct the device that none of the f parts thereoi1 are susceptible'to any material wear except possibly the means for attaching the breast strap ring which, however,

can be replaced at a small cost.

ln the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the haine Atug embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on theL line 2-2 of Fig'. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to F ig. 2 illustrating the manner in which the trace connection may be disengaged from the attaching` member of the tug.

i ln the drawings, the attaching member of the tug is indicated in general by the reference numeral 1 and the said attaching I member comprisesa base plate 2 which is provided with any suitable number ot open* These members areequidistantly spaced and ing member k1 has connected with( it the` usual ring 6 for the connection of thebreast strap voi the harness (not shown). rThe plate 2 oi the attaching member may be of any desired dimensions and of any desired contour Aor outline, and preferably cast integral with the plate are a plurality of stop members 7 which extendtransversely of the outer face of the said plate and which may be of the general form shown in Fig. 2 of.

the drawings or ot anv other desired sha e.

any desired number oli them may be formed upon the plate 2. A. connecting bar, indicated in general by the numeral 8, also forms anintegral part of ythe attaching member 1 being vpreferably cast integral with the stop members 7 and extending longitudinally throughout the series ot such members. This bar is designed for the con nectien et the trace connecting members of the tug and in cross section the bar is ap-y proximately semi-cylindrical as most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the l'lat or chordal side 9 of the bar being presentedoutwardly as shown inthe. said ligures and in Fig.l 1.

tVithin the spirit of my invention., l may employ either one of two `torrns of trace connections-'as shown4 in Fig. 1v of' the drawingsA depending upon whether leather traces or chain traces are to be used. Forexample where a leather trace such as shown at the left in Fig. 1 and indicated by the numeral f 10 is to be employed, l2 make use of the form yof connection which is indicated in the drawings by the reference letter A, vand where trace chains are to be employed as shown at the right in Fig. 1, 1 employ a slightly` different form ot connection which is indicated by the reference letter B.' So far as the means provided for adapting the ytrace connections for engagement with the connecting bar 8 is concerned, the connections A and B are identical in their construction and each includes a pair of spaced arms 11 connected at their outer ends by means to which' the leather trace 1() or the chain trace, if the latter is preferably employed, may be connected. At `their inner ends. thel arms arel formedin their outer edges each with alnotch 12 providinga terminal hook 13, each notch having a throat 14E whichis of a width somewhat less than 'the diameter of the inner portion of the notch, this inner semi-cylindrical wall and being of a diameter to more or less snugly receivethe bar 8. ln applying the trace connection tothe bar it is necessary that the connection be disposed in a position substantially at right angles outstanding from the attaching member 1 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings in which position one wallV of the throat 14 ot the notch 12 will be presented to the convex inner side ot the bar and the opposite' wall of the throat will `be. presented to the flat or chordal side 9 of the bar. With the connectionv in this position, its hooks k13 may be engaged with the bar so that the bar is received within the notches 12 and after such engagement, the connection may be swung inwardly and rearwardly to assume the normal position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings in which position the throats lllo thehnotches will be so disposed` as to positively insure against accidental disengagement of the hooked terminals of thev arms 11 from the said connecting bar 9.

1t will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings thatv the inner side of thel traceconnection is not quite in contact *withv the rol-l oiu the collar and` the connection is in fact prevented troni pressing against the roll of' the collar by forming the `inner edges ot the arms 11 oil the connection with shoulders 15 which, in the position assumed by the connection as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings,`bear rmly against the rear edge ot the attaching plate 2 for the purf pose stated. Y nections are positively prevented frornrubhing or pressing against the collar and wear-r ing through the roll thereof.

n At this point it will be understood .90 portion being define-d vby an approximately ioo In this manner the trace con-y no difficulty whatsoever will be experienced in quickly disconnecting the trace connec-` tions from the bar 8 and again applying them to the said bar. It will also be evi'- dent by reference to F ig. 1 that the stop members 7 will constitute rests for the lower arms of the trace connections when the tug is in use and is disposed in the customary upright position. Therefore, inasmuch as the stop members 7 are equidistantly spaced, the line of draft or pull may be readily varied by detaching the trace connection from the bar 8 and again engaging the connection with the said bar at a higher or lower point as required. rThe arms 11 are so spaced that no matter at what elevation their hooked ends are engaged with the bar 8, there will be no interference on the part of the stop members 7, the said ends of the arms in any position of adjustment of the trace connections being located at opposite sides of one of the said stop members 7.

The connection B which is especially designed for use in connection with chain traces will now be more specificially described and particularly as concerns the means provided for the connection of the chain links therewith. It may first be stated that the trace chain, which is indicated in general by the numeral 16 and which is of the ordinary construction, is made up of a number of connected links 17 of uniform dimensions and any of which may be selectively engaged with the connection B. The arms 11 of the connection are united at their outer ends by means of a transversely extending integral web 18 the inner surface 19 of which is smooth and free from obstructions or projections so that even should it come into contact with the bodyeside of the collar 5, no injury to the collar will result. Formed upon the outer face of this web 18 and preferably integral therewith is a boss 20 which extends longitudinally of the said face of the web and which at its forward end is formed to provide a hook 21 the bill of which is curved forwardly and inwardly and suitably spaced from the forward end edge of the web 18 to provide a throat 22 through which one end of a selected one of the links 17 may be readily passed in engaging the link with or disengaging the same from the said hook. The boss 20, between the inner side of the hook 21 and its rear end, is of a length substantially equal to the length of the opening of any one of the links 17 and the widt-h of the boss isbut slightly less than the width of this link opening so that when one end of any one of the links is engaged in the hook 21, the link may be swung to position lying fiat against the outer face of the web 18 and circumscribing or surrounding the boss 2O as clearly shown in Fig. 1 kof the drawings. In order to prevent accidental movement of the link from this position and which movementfwould be liable to result in accidental disengagement of the link from the'hook, locking means is provided which will now be described. The numeral23 indicates a spindle which is rotatably fitted.

through an opening24 formed through the boss 20 rearwardly of the hook 12 andthis spindle has secured upon itsy outer end a turnbutton or head 25 having radial finger pieces or wings 26 by which it and the spindle may be readily rotated, the spindle being likewise provided at its said end with a diametrical locking bar 2 7 which in one position of rotation of the locking member is designed to extend transversely of the outer face of the boss 2O with its ends projecting o posite the side barspof the chain link whip is engaged with the boss as clearly shown in F ig.,1 of the drawings. The ends of this locking bar need not actually engage the side bars of the link but the purpose of the bar is to prevent the link swinging outwardly about the hook 21 as a center and thus becoming accidentally disengaged from the said hook or having such play as would prove of disadvantage.` A resilient washer 28 is iitted onto the inner end of the spindle 23 and is confined between a head 29 formed at this end of the spindle and the bottoml or inner wall 30 of a housing recess 31 which is formed in the inner face of the boss 20 and web 18 and is of sufficient depth to; house the said washer and head so that the-se partsA cannot come into rubbing contact with the collar roll. The 'purpose of the spring washer 28 is to constantly hold the spindle drawn inwardly under tension yand in this manner the inner side of the locking bar 27, which is transversely convex as indicated by the numeral 32, is held securely in a notch 33 which is formed transversely in the outer faceof the said boss 20. Thus the locking member is yieldably held against rotation and cannot therefore become accidentally rotated to such positionv -as to release the link which is engaged with the hook 21. Nevertheless the locking memberv may be rotated without diiiiculty so as to extend longitudinally'of the boss 20 in which position of its ustrnent it will ,not in any way interfere with the free disengagement of the link from the hook 21 and the reengagement of the same or another link with the said hook. As ordinarily an intermediate link of the trace chain is engaged with the hook 21, one of the links connected therewith will constitute a part'of the length of the chain which extends rearwardly whereas the other link connected therewith will constitute part of the loose or free end of the chain which is permitted to hang free. The former link is indicated specifically by the numeral 17 a and the latter by the numeral 17" and the ends of l 21. ln order to prevent' too great rboth of these links (rest inthe rear'end of the 'link which is engaged with thehook a freedom of movement of the links 17a and 17", it preferablethat the rear end of the boss L0 b'eyrece'ssed at its lower side as indicated bythe 'numeral 34 so as to receive the ends ofthesa'id links 17EL and 17D as clearly shown in Fig. 1. It will be evident from the foregoing that the link of the trace chain which is actually connected with the hook 21 and which vfits about the* boss 20, is positively prevented from having` any appreciable play vand 'it therefore cannot cause any injury to the collar roll even should it come into engagement with the said roll which, however, -is unlikely in View of the engage- 'ineiit of the shoulder 15 with the rear edge of the plate of ythe attaching member 1.

i It' desiredtli'e boss 2O may be formed with a longitudinally extending slot Bto' lighten the weight of the trace Connection.

By yreference to Fig; 2 of the drawings it `will be observed that under working con* ditionsthe inner edges of the arms `11 of the trace connection, 'at p'ointsimmediately forwardly of the shoulders l5, bear iirmly against the uteiface of the plate 2 of the attaching member .1 and as ya consequence the strain incident `to draft is borne by these parts as well as bythe bar S.

Having thus described thev invention, what is claimed as new is:

r1. A trace connection for a hame tug includingv a web portion, a boss thereon terminating at one end in a hook, the boss be# .ing ofa shape yand dimensions to substantially fill the opening of a trace chainlink engaged with the said hook.

2. 'A trace connection fory a haine tug comprising a member having a web portion, .a `boss upon the o'uterface of said porti'o'n terminating` at one end in va hook for the engagement of a `trace chain link, the boss being of. a length substantially equal to thelen'gth of the opening in the said link whereby to substantially lill the saidopen-v in'o and `prevent longitudinal play-of the link when engaged with the hook.

A trace connection for a hame tug comprising a memberhaving a webportion, a'` boss upon the' outer face of said portion ter-` minatingy at one end -in a hook for the engagement of a trace chain link, the boss being of a lei'igth substantially equal to the length of the opening` in the 'said link whereby to substantially lill the said opening and prevent longitudinal play of the link when engaged with the hook, and means upon the boss for retaining the link in such position of engagement. K

4i. A trace connection for a haine tugcompiising a member having a web portion, a bossupon the outer face of said portion terminating at one end in a hook for the engagement of atrace chain link, the boss being of a length substantially equal to the length of the opening in the said link whereby to substantially fill the said opening and prevent longitudinal play of the link when engaged with the hook, andineans .upon the boss for retaining the link in such position of engagement, the said means ycomprising a locking vbar 'rotatably mounted upon the said boss and adjutable either to project at its ends over the link engaged about the bess or to position extending longitudinally of the said boss and Clear of the link.

5. A trace connection for a haine tug in-` cluding a web portion, a boss upon one face thereof terminating at one end in a hook for the engagement therewith of a link of a trace chain, the said boss being of a length .substantially equal to the length of the opening of the link whereby to restrain the link against longitudinal play when engaged with the hook, the said boss being recessed to'receive the bights of other links connected with the iirst mentioned link.

G. A trace connectionv for a haine tug. including a web portion, a boss upon one face thereof terminating at one end in ,a hookV with which a link of a trace chain maybe engaged, the said boss being of dimensions` to substantially i'ill the opening of the link whereby to prevent play of the link when engaged with the hook, a spindle mounted through the boss,y a locking member carried by the outer end of the spindle and rotatable either to position to restrain the link' against displacement or to position to clear the link,` and means tensioning the spindle to retain the locking member in its positions of adjustment. i i

7. fr trace connection for a haine tug` including a web portion, a Aboss upon one face thereof terminating at one end in a hook with which a link of a trace eliainmaybe engaged, the said boss being of dimensions to substantiallyill the opening of the link whereby to prevent play 'of' the link when engaged with the hook, a spindle mounted through the boss, a locking member carried byV the outer end of the spindle and rotatable either to position to restrain the link against displacement or to position to clear the link, and means tensioning the spindle to retain the locking member in its positions of adjustment, the said means comprising a resilient elementv upon the other end of the spindle engagingthe inner side of the boss.

8. A trace connectionfor a hame tug including a web portion, a boss upon one face thereof terminating at one end in a hook' with which a link of a trace chain may be engaged, the said boss beingof dimensions to substantially fill the opening of the link whereby to prevent play of the link when engaged with the hook, aspindle mounted through the boss, a. locking member carried by the outer end of the spindle and rotatable either to position to restrain the link against displacement or to position to clear the link, and means tensioning` the spindle to retain the loeking;- member in its positions.

of adjustment, the boss having a eransverse seat in which the locking member is engageahle and is held when in its said locking position.

9. In a llame tug, an attaching member, spaced stop members upon the attac-hing` member, a connecting bar extending between the Said stop members and having its forwardly, rearwardly and inwardly presented sides of cylindrical contour and its outwardly presented side flat, and a trace connection having a hook separably engageable with the said bar and having a restricted throat of a width less than the major diameter of the bar vand l`Q ;reater than the minor diameter thereof and presented outwardly in the assembled relation of the parts.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

Trios. w. GRAHAM. [L 5.] 

